Writing pen assembly



July 1952 H. c. KLAGGES 2,601,846

WRITING PEN ASSEMBLY Filed May 17, 1947 FIG! HENRY C. KM 6655 JNVENTOR:

Patented July 1, i952 WRITING PEN ASSEMBLY Henry C. Klagges, Haddon Township, Camden County, N. J assignor to The Ester-brook Pen Company, Camden, Jersey i N. J., a corporation of New Application May 17, 1947, Serial No. 748,675

w 3 Claims.

Thi invention relates to writing penand feedbar assemblies and to fountain or reservoir feedbars of the type employed with so-called Dip- Less" writing pens which receive and store a liberal supply of ink; thus permitting the user to write for a considerable length of time after a single dipping into a body of ink. Such type of writing assembly is usually carried by a suitable penholder or pen staff and is left in dipping position in an ink supply when not in use.

My invention comprises an improved form of structure in which a. feed member or bar constructed to serve as a reservoir for ink cooperates with a nib or pen point and receives ink when supported by the penholder or pen staif'in dipping position'in an ink supply; such feedmemher or bar subsequently dispensing ink by capillary action to the nib orpen point when the writing assembly is employed in a writing operation. In the present instance the pen point, feed-bar and the penholder or pen staff are provided with complementary engagin parts which serve to maintain the elements of the writing assembly in properly associated position when inserted in a socket of the penholder or pen staff and are retained therein by cooperative means carried by the feed-bar and penholder.

One object of my invention is to provide afeedbar of simple construction and of efllcient reservoir type that will maintain a liberal supply of ink for delivery by capillary action'to the nib or pen point associated therewith.

A further object of myinvention is to provide a feed-bar of the reservoir type that, accompanied by the nib or pen point, may be screwed into the socket of. a penholder or pen staff.

A further object of my invention is to provide a feed-bar of the fountain or reservoirtype upon which a nib or pen point may be firmly and accurately positioned so as to lie in properalignment with respect to the means supplying it with ink.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a feed-bar with reservoir and/or storage means for ink in the form of a helical groove of capillary dimensions which groove may be cut orotherwise formed therein to define a continuous capillary space for the reception and storage of ink after a dipping operation in an ink supply; such stored ink being subsequently dispensed to the nib or pen point in a writing operation. This helical groove may be of right-hand or left-hand formation, as convenience or other factors connected with its production may suggest.

A further object of my invention is to provide a fountain feed-bar with reservoir means for the reception and storage of ink in the form of a comb defining a plurality of substantially annular capillary spaces which will fill with ink when the writing assembl is dipped in an ink supply for subsequent passage to a nib or pen point associated with the fountain feed-bar;- such spaces, in the present instance, may be connected by a suitable groove of capillary dimensionslongitudinally of the feed-bar. 1 i i r A further object of my invention is to provide the upper surface of the feed-bar with a recess, which may be formed on the arc of a circle; such recess having straight walls paralleling thelongitudinal axis of the feed-bar, and to provide the nib or pen point with a struck-up portion providing a protuberance on the underside of its shank; such protuberance having straight parallel sides which exactly fit the side walls of the recess on the upper surface of the feed-bar and position the nib or pen point laterally thereof. T0 position the nib or pen point longitudinally, the rear end of its shank may have a depending portion or lip arranged to enter a cross-notch adjacent the rear end of the feed-bar. This notch may be formed on the arc of a circle, and thedepending lipof the nib or pen 'point may be correspondingly shaped to fit the same. V

A further feature of my invention resides in the beveling of the rear end of the feed-bar; thereby providing a high point for initial engagement with-a beveled wall or shoulder within the socket of the penholder or pen staff. In the present instance the feed-bar is constructed to V screw into this socket and for this purpose is provided with an interrupted screw thread, suitably positioned. When entered in the socket of the penholder or pen staff, the nib or pen point is associated with the feed-bar in the position illu strated in the drawings. As the feed-bar is screwedhome, the high point at the beveled end of the same engages the beveled wall or shoulder within the socket and the camming efiect of this engagement tends to slightly tilt the feed-bar together with the nib or pen point so that the latter, with the feed-bar, will be firmly held in the socket and at the same time the forward end of the feedbar will be brought into the desired relation with respect to the writing end of the nib or pen point and insure the greatest nicety of adjustment for proper writing purposes. i

My improved writing 1 assembly may be: used with any suitable form of inkwell or other'ink supply provided with a dipping opening in which the nib or pen point and the feed-bar may be supported when not in use. Though not limited ing had to the accompanying drawings'more or less diagrammatic in character, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of fountain or reservoir feed-bar within the scope of my invention. 7

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the feed-bar shown Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevational. view of the forward end of the feed-bar shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Figs. 4, 5 and. 6 are cross-sectional views of the feed-bar and pen nib taken on the lines IV.IV; V--V and VI--VI, Fig. 1, respectively.

Figs. 7 and 8 are elevational views, similar to Fig. 1, illustrating other forms of fountain or reservoir feed-bars within the scope of my invention.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line IX--IX, Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is across-sectional view taken onthe line XX,-Fig. 8.

. Fig. 11' is a fragmentary view, partly in section,

of a writing pen assembly, including a fountain or reservoir feed-bar and a nib or pen point, in association with capillary ink-elevating means.

The essential feature of my present invention is the provision of a fountain or reservoir feedbar'of simple construction with ample space of capillary dimensions for the reception and storage of ink picked up by capillary action from a supply into which the writing assembly may be dipped, or by contact with the distributor of inkelevating means; such ink subsequently passing to a nib or pen point carried by the feed-bar in a writing operation. My improved feed-bar may be molded or otherwise formed and may be made of hard rubber-or any suitable plastic material commonly employed in the pen art.

One form of my improved fountain feed-bar,

indicated at H, and illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 et seq., comprises a member having portions of two diameters, indicated at I la and 1 lb, respectively; theportion Ila to be entered into the socket of a penholder or pen staff, and the portion llb to underlie the nib or pen point. The pen holder or pen staff, indicated at P, is provided with a threaded socket p, and the portion Ha of the feedv-bar is provided with an interrupted thread portion llc, which engages the threads of the socket when set in place. Internally thereof, the socket is provided with a beveled wall or shoulder p for a purpose to be hereinfater described.

The forward portion l lb of my improved fountain feed-bar, of smaller cross-sectional area than the rear portion Ila which is screwed into the socket of the penholder or pen staff, may be substantially circular in cross-section and is provided with a continuous capillary space lid of helical formation or contour. This continuous'capillary space may be formed in several ways; including amolding operation and/or a cutting operation by'means of. a suitable instrument. Formation of this helical capillary space or groove, which is preferably of material depth, provides a contin- "1 are.

4 uous rib or thread Ile, defining the capillary space lld in which ink will collect by capillary action for subsequent distribution to the nib or pen point in a writing operation when the pen and feed-bar assembly is dipped in or associated with an ink supply.

- w In order to assure passage of ink tothe papercontacting end of the nib or pen point, the upper surface of the feed-bar at its forward end may be provided with a short groove ll) of capillary dimensions, longitudinally disposed; such groove underlying a portion of the slit defining the nibs and the pierce hole of the pen point, and preferably; extending to the forward helix of the continuous' capillary space I Id.

The upper surface of the feed-bar is preferably in a single plane and receives the nib or pen point I2, shown in section in Fig. 1. In order that the nibor pen point may be properly positionedlongitudinally as well as laterallythe feedbar and 1nib or pen point are provided with 00- operative engaging means. For this purpose, the shank'of'the nib or pen point may be'provided with struck-up portions projecting from the underside; of the same for engagement with reces$8s or: depressions formed in theupper surface'of the feed-bar. In this connection, the pen point shank may be-providedwith a depending lip ;I-2a, and at; a suitable point forward of this lip, the underside-of the-nib'or pen point may be providedwith a protuberance, which may be ofangular contour, indicated at I21); which protuberance'may be formed by making parallel slits through the metal of 'thepen point and displacing the portion between such slits.

'Thefeed-bar is provided with a notch or recess Hg in its upper surface-preferably by, an arcuate cutand the depending lip 12a of the nib or pen point enters this recess, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6. The feed-bar is also provided with a recess ll h, which may be arcuate, receiving the angularprotuberance l2b of the pen point. The recess llh'has straight walls in parallel relation longitudinally'of the feed-bar, and the angular protuberance. IZb has parallel sides or wall surfaces which exactly fit the side Walls of the recess l lh; as illustrated in Fig. 6.

The cooperative means just described firmly position the nib or pen point with respect to the feed-bar; the engagementof-the lip l2a of the pen point with the cross notch or recess Hg of the feed-bar holding the pen point longitudinally, and the engagement of the, angular protuberance [2b with the recess or depression Hit of the feedbar, holding the pen point'laterally.- It will be understood ofcourse that the protuberance lZb may have an arcuate contour fitting the arcuate recessllh.

Inthe use of all writing instrumentsit is essential that the nib or pen point beheld in firm position with respect tothe penholder or pen staff. 'In the present .instance, 'the.feed-bar is provided with an interrupted thread portion I I0 for cooperative engagement'twith'the threaded socket p-of the penholder or pen staff P, and the nib or pen point is arranged to reston the shoulder of the interrupted threads, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 5. and'6; the shank portion of such nib or penpoint occupying the space on the upper surface of the feed-barwhere the threads have been omitted.

'My improved feed-bar is of a size that, generally speaking, may be considered a standard for association with all forms or shapes of nibs or pen points which may be employed therewith. It

happens, however, that these nibs or pen pointsconsidering the wide range for the accommodation of various users--vary in thickness a few thousandtlis of an inch and in applying them to a'feed-bar of .the present standard type, there could be a slight looseness of fit between the :nib or pen point, feed-bar and wall of the socket,

particularly at that part of the threaded portion 'of the latter overlying the nib or pen point.

For the purpose of holding the nib or pen point firmly in place for a satisfactory writing operation I have provided cooperative means whereby the pen point, despite any variations in the thickness of the metal composing the same, may

be so tightly wedged in the socket of the .penholder or pen staff-with the feed-bar-as to assure the rigidity so, desirable when the instrument is employed in a writing operation. For this purpose, in the present instance, the rear end of thefeed-bar is faced oil at a slight angle to the plane of its vertical axis as indicated at H7, and the socket p of the penholder or pen staff P is provided with an annularly beveled seat'or shoulder p, as illustrated'in Fig. 1. As the feed-bar, with the accompanying nib or pen point is screwed home, the high point of the diagonally faced end of the feed-bar engages the beveled seat or shoulder p of the socket p and by reason of a camming action thereon slightly tilts the feed-bar and pen point, as illustrated in Fig. 1; the amount of tilt depending upon the thickness of the metal composing the pen point. This tilting of feed-bar and pen point has the effect of tightly wedging the pen point in place and assures a rigid support for the latter as well as the feed-bar, so desirable in an instrument employed in a writing operation. In addition, the tilting action insures proper engagement of the forward end of the pen points with the forward end of the feed-bar and assures the greatest nicety of adjustment of these parts and proper feed of ink to the paper-contacting end of the pen point.

Other forms of feed-bars having capillary spaces for the reception and storage of ink for subsequent use in a writing operation are within the scope of my invention, and two forms are illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8. These feed-bars are of substantially the same character as the one illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, et seq., as to those features which cooperate with the pen point for the purpose of positioning the latter longitudinally and laterally; such feed-bars having the recesses Hg and I Hi receiving the projections in and 12b underlying the pen point. The capillary spacesfor the reception and storage of ink difier,

however.

In the form of feed-bar illustrated in Fig. '7, the forward portion thereof is shown as provided with combs I lie defining annular capillary spaces or recesses Hm. These spaces are connected by a groove I Hf of capillary dimensions extending longitudinally of the feed-bar and formed in the upper surface thereof,

The form of feed-bar illustrated in Fig. 8 is provided with combs lllk defining substantially annular grooves or recesses Him of capillary dimensions; more particularly illustrated in Fig. 10. In this form of structure, the'curved surfaces defining combs and capillary spaces or grooves are struck from a centre oifset with respect to the axis of the forward portion of the feed-bar, and such grooves terminate at opposite sides of a longitudinal land I I r on the upper surface of the feed-bar; their termini underlying the pen point and insuring distribution of ink thereto. T

The rear ends of the feed-bars shown in Figs.

,7 and 8 are beveled at H7 in the same manner {as the feed-bar shown in Figs. 1' and z, and effect the same camming, action against the beveled seat or shoulder p'" of the penholder socket to slightly tilt a feed-bafwhen its rear end is screwed homeinthe socket.

" Ink may be supplied to the capillary space or In this fragmentary view, the socket receiving the pen and feed-bar assembly is indicatedat S, in which socket the slotted plate s defining spaces in which ink rises by capillary action is mounted; such plate dipping into the ink supply and-delivering the eleivated ink through slots s in itsxupperportion to ,the feed-bar resting against the same and which {may be held in such position by a springarm or prong s It will be understood that the feed-bar constructions herein described and shown in the ac- :companying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and not as limitations since modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention; all of which is 1188111801 to be within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination, with a penholder, having a recessed and internally threaded end portion,

; of a feed-bar having portions of two diameters; one of said portions being threaded for engagement with the threaded recess of the penholder and the other portion of less diameter having a continuous capillary space following a helical .path for the reception and storage of ink, and a pen point or nib mounted on said feed-bar and accommodated with the same in the recessed end of the penholder; said elements having complementary positioning means including an angular protuberance with straight side walls fitting a :recess in the upper side of the feed-bar with straight side walls whereby the pen pointis: positioned laterally, and a depending lip carried by the shank end of the pen point; said feed-bar havingarecess in its upper surface adjacent its "rear end in which said lip seats.

2. The combination, with a penholder, having a recessed and internally threaded end portion, of a feed-bar having portions of two diameters; one of said portions being threaded for engage- ;ment with the threaded recess of the penholder and the other portion of less diameter having a continuous capillary space following a helical path for the reception and storage of ink, and a pen point or nib mounted on said feed-bar and accommodated with the same in the recessed end of the penholder; complementary positioning means including an angular protuberance on the underside of the pen point with straight parallel side walls fitting a recess with straight parallel side walls in the upper side of the feed-bar :whereby the pen point is positioned laterally, and a depending lip carried by the shank end of the pen point; said feed-bar having a cross-wise .7 recess in its upper surface adjacent its rear end in which said lip seats. t

3; The combinationwith a pen holder having a home in the socket of the penholder and tilting the feed-bar and pen point to an extent sufiicient to tightly wedge feed-bar and pen point in place; said diagonally faced end of the feed-barlying in a plane at a slight angle to the-vertical axis of the feed-bar and inclined forwardly from top'to bottom of said end. l I

' HENRY C. KLAGGES;

REFERENCES CITED 7 I The following references are of record'in'the file of this'i-patent z 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Nizli lber" Name Date 'Kletzker Apr. 22, 1884 Ochoa July 3, 1906 MacDonald Dem. 10, 1912 Middleton Nov. 30,1926 Sager .;..*Nov.* 1; 1932 r Cuthbert May'9, 1933 Ashmore Apr. 30, 1935 Robinson Apr. 6, 1937 McKay Nov; 14, 1939 'Euss Sept. 3, 1940 Ashm'ore Nov.26, 1940 Klagges Aug. 11, 1942 Martin Dec. 1, 1942 Dahlberg .4. May 15, 1945 Klagges Dec. .11, 1945 Kovacs'; May 28, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Nov. 23, 1933 

